Hose pull apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A hose-fed lateral move irrigation system and method that utilizes a pipe with a plurality of sprinklers attached to a wheeled cart that pulls a flexible-hose assembly therebehind using at least one onboard winch and travels laterally with the pipe and sprinklers relative to a field so that a sufficient amount of hose may be used to enable total automation of the system.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to an agricultural irrigationsystem and method. More specifically, embodiments of the presentinvention concern a hose-fed lateral move irrigation apparatus, theapparatus being particularly suitable for use with the irrigation systemand method.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Crops are cultivated throughout the world in a wide variety of climateswith different terrains and soils. It is desirable in many of theseclimates to artificially supplement the climate's natural precipitationvia irrigation systems to ensure crops receive adequate water.Additionally, irrigation systems can be used to deliver fertilizers andchemicals to, among other things, promote healthy crop growth, suppressweeds, and protect crops from frost.

Common irrigation systems for use with crops cultivated in fieldsinclude overhead irrigation systems. In such systems, water may behose-fed and/or pipe-fed to one or more “hydrants” located centrallywithin or adjacent to a field. Alternatively, water may be ditch-fed byrouting water into a ditch that runs along and/or through a field.

The hydrants or ditches are connected by a hose to an overheadhigh-pressure sprinkler network, which includes an elevated, elongatedpipe that is supported by a plurality of trusses. The pipe includes aplurality of sprinklers spaced generally along an entire length of thepipe and may extend downward to within approximately three ft. of thecrops to enable distribution of water to the crops from above.

Common overhead sprinkler network types include center-pivot systems andlateral-move systems.

Center-pivot systems are ideal for use in fields having circular cropareas and generally include a hydrant located in the middle of eachcircular crop area. In such systems, an elevated, elongated pipe withsprinklers extends from a hydrant to an outer circumference of thecircular crop area such that the systems may be driven in a circularpattern over the crops to deliver water thereto during rotation.

Lateral-move systems are ideal for use in square, rectangular, andirregular-shaped fields, for example, “L” shaped fields. Such systemsgenerally include one or more hydrants located in and/or adjacent to afield and/or one or more ditches located along or through a field thatare connected to an elevated, elongated pipe with sprinklers. Unlike thecenter-pivot system having a pipe with a stationary end, the pipe in alateral-move system is connected to and extends from a movable cartdesigned to traverse up and down a cart path. The pipe may be locked atan angle perpendicular to the cart path and pivot at an end at the cartpath, which is desirable if the cart path extends down the middle of afield to enable pivoting from one side of the cart path to the otherwith each pass along the cart path.

Lateral-move systems are connected to one hydrant at a time via a hosethat is pulled behind the cart as it travels down a cart path until thehose becomes fully extended at which point the cart stops. Conventionalcarts have a limit to a length and diameter of hose that they arecapable of pulling therebehind. Depending on a size of the field thatthe cart is employed, the length of the hose may not sufficiently enablethe cart to travel down an entire length of the cart path whileconnected to the one hydrant via the hose. In such a scenario, one ormore additional hydrants may be positioned along the cart path so thatas the cart is traveling along the path and the hose becomes fullyextended requiring the cart to stop, the hose may be disconnected fromthe one hydrant and connected to a next hydrant positioned further alongthe cart path so that the cart may continue along the cart path.Consequently, the number of hydrants along the cart path are determinedby a length of the field and a length of the hose.

Conventional lateral-move systems include a dual manifold to allowhydrant changes to be done “on the run” so irrigation is notinterrupted. However, when a conventional cart reaches an end of a hoseand a hydrant change is desired, it is still necessary to signal thecart to stop at a predetermined distance and manually manipulate thehydrants and hoses. Particularly, it is necessary to connect a secondhose to the next hydrant, activate the next hydrant, deactivate the onehydrant, disconnect a first hose from the one hydrant, and reactivatethe cart so that it proceeds along the cart path.

Given that conventional hoses are typically very heavy, manipulating thehoses is time consuming and labor intensive. Replacing conventionalhoses with lighter-weight hoses is not ideal because such aresusceptible to kinking and blockage of fluid, which is more likely whenattempting to run with low pressure to save energy. Additionally,lighter-weight hoses are easily damaged when run over by equipment, suchas a tractor, which may occur from time to time.

SUMMARY

The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of thesubject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the presentinvention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit thescope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an irrigation system andmethod that does not suffer from the problems and limitations ofconventional irrigation systems such as those set forth above.

The present invention provides, in its simplest form, a hose-fed lateralmove irrigation system and method that utilizes a pipe with a pluralityof sprinklers attached to a pulling element (e.g., a wheeled hose-pullcart, hose-pull tower, or the like) that pulls a hose assemblytherebehind and travels laterally with the pipe and sprinklers relativeto a field. The system and method has at least one onboard winch that isconnected to and pulls the hose assembly in an alternating fashionrelative to movement of the cart or movement of another onboard winch todisplace the force required to pull the hose assembly therebetween,e.g., equally therebetween. In this manner, the system and method allowsthe cart to pull double the length of hose relative to a maximum lengthof hose that convention carts are able to pull, and enablescompletely-automated operation because the cart need only be connectedto a single hydrant.

The aforementioned aspects are achieved in one aspect of the presentinvention by providing an irrigation system having a liquid conduit forthe delivery of liquid. The system includes a movable cart having aplurality of wheels, a flexible-hose assembly connected to the movablecart and operable to provide a portion of the liquid conduit, and ahose-displacement assembly mounted on the movable cart, secured to theflexible-hose assembly, and operable to displace the flexible-hoseassembly.

In some embodiments, the hose-displacement assembly may include at leastone winch having a cable connected to the flexible-hose assembly at anattachment point along the flexible-hose assembly. The winch may beoperable to pull the flexible-hose assembly relative to the cart. Theflexible-hose assembly may include (i) a first flexible hose and (ii) arigid hose having a first portion and a second portion connected to themovable cart in that order. A second flexible hose may be included toconnect the rigid hose to a hydrant.

In some embodiments, the hose-displacement assembly may include aplurality of winches each having a cable connected to the flexible-hoseassembly at attachment points that may be spaced from each other alongthe flexible-hose assembly. The plurality of winches may be operable topull the flexible-hose assembly in an alternating manner and/or areoperable to position their respective cables at about a center of themovable cart. The flexible-hose assembly may include a first flexiblehose, a first rigid hose, a second flexible hose, and a second rigidhose that may be connected to the movable cart in that order. A thirdflexible hose may be included to connect the second rigid hose to ahydrant. The first flexible hose and the second flexible hose may beoperable to expand and compress within an expansion-compression zone toenable movement of the cart without moving the first rigid hose and thesecond rigid hose, and/or independent alternating movement of the firstrigid hose and the second rigid hose without any transfer of forcebetween the first rigid hose and the second rigid hose.

The plurality of winches may include a first winch with a first cablehaving a length equal to a length of the first flexible hose and asecond winch with a second cable having a length equal to a length ofthe first flexible hose and the first rigid hose. The cable of each ofthe plurality of winches may be selectively connectable to the winch.The plurality of winches may each have a reel of a sufficient diameterto effectively manipulate the hose assembly in a single rotation orless. The system may further include a cable-tensioning mechanismmounted on the movable cart to maintain a tension on each cable of theplurality of winches between the cable-tensioning mechanism and theplurality of winches.

The rigid hose may be connected to the cart via first and second cables.The first cable may be connected to the first portion of the rigid hoseand have a length equal to a length of the flexible hose. The secondcable may be connected to the second portion of the rigid hose and havea length equal to the length of the first flexible hose and a length ofthe first portion of the rigid hose. The first cable may be connecteddirectly to the cart and the second cable may be indirectly connected tothe cart via the winch such that the first and second cables enable (I)independent alternating movement of the first portion of the rigid hoseand the second portion of the rigid hose with no transfer or minimaltransfer of force therebetween, and (ii) movement of the cart withoutmovement of the second portion of the rigid hose.

The aforementioned aspects may also be achieved by providing a method oftraversing a field with an irrigation system having a liquid conduit. Inone embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a movablecart having a plurality of wheels, connecting a flexible hose assemblyto the movable cart that is operable to provide a portion of the liquidconduit, and mounting a hose-displacement assembly to the movable cartthat is secured to the flexible-hose assembly, and operable to displacethe flexible-hose assembly.

The hose-displacement assembly used in embodiments of this method mayinclude at least one winch having a cable connected to the flexible-hoseassembly at an attachment point along the flexible-hose assembly. Thewinch may be operable to pull the flexible-hose assembly relative to thecart. The flexible-hose assembly may include (I) a flexible hose and(ii) a rigid hose having a first portion and a second portion connectedto the movable cart in that order. The first cable may be connected tothe first portion of the rigid hose and have a length equal to a lengthof the flexible hose, and the second cable may be connected to thesecond portion of the rigid hose and have a length equal to the lengthof the first flexible hose and a length of the first portion of therigid hose. The first cable may be connected directly to the cart, andthe second cable may be connected to the winch such that the first andsecond cables enable (I) independent alternating movement of the firstportion of the rigid hose and the second portion of the rigid hose withno transfer or minimal transfer of force therebetween, and (ii) movementof the cart without movement of the second portion of the rigid hose.

The hose-displacement assembly used in embodiments of this method mayinclude a plurality of winches each having a cable connected to theflexible-hose assembly at an attachment point. The attachment points maybe spaced from each other along the flexible-hose assembly. Theplurality of winches may be operable to pull the flexible-hose assemblyin an alternating manner relative to each other. The flexible-3hoseassembly may include a first flexible hose, a first rigid hose, a secondflexible hose, and a second rigid hose connected to the movable cart inthat order. The first flexible hose and the second flexible hose mayeach define an expansion-compression zones and may each be operable toexpand and compress within its expansion-compression zone to enable (I)movement of the cart without movement of the rigid hose, and (ii)independent alternating movement of the first rigid hose and the secondrigid hose without any transfer of force therebetween.

The plurality of winches may include a first winch with a first cablehaving a length equal to a length of the first flexible hose and asecond winch with a second cable having a length equal to a length ofthe first flexible hose and the first rigid hose. The rigid hose may beconnected to the cart via first and second cables. The method mayfurther include the step of maintaining a tension on the cable of thewinch between a cable-tensioning mechanism and the winch.

Additional aspects, advantages, and utilities of the present inventionwill be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice ofthe general invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below withreference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear right side perspective view of a hose-fed lateral moveirrigation system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating a cart connected to a hydrant via rigidhoses and flexible hoses;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a hose-fed lateral move irrigation systemillustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating the cart connected to the hydrantvia the rigid hoses and the flexible hoses;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of a hose-fed lateral move irrigation systemillustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating the cart connected to the hydrantvia the rigid hoses and the flexible hoses;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a hose-fed lateral move irrigation systemillustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating the cart connected to a hydrant viathe rigid hoses and the flexible hoses;

FIG. 5 is a bottom right-side perspective view of the cart illustratedin FIG. 1, illustrating cable-tensioning mechanisms;

FIG. 6 is a rear right side perspective view of the cart illustrated inFIG. 1, illustrating the rigid hoses and the flexible hosessubstantially extended;

FIG. 7 is top plan view of the cart illustrated in FIG. 1, illustratingthe rigid hoses and the flexible hoses substantially extended

FIG. 8 is an enlarged rear right-side perspective view of a couplingassembly illustrated in FIG. 1 to connect a cable to a rigid hose;

FIG. 9 is a bottom right-side perspective view of the cart illustratedin FIG. 1, illustrating a coupling assembly to connect the cart to aflexible hose;

FIG. 10 is a bottom left-side perspective view of the cart illustratedin FIG. 1, illustrating a coupling assembly to connect the cart to aflexible hose;

FIG. 11 is a front right side perspective view of the cart illustratedin FIG. 1, illustrating the rigid hoses and the flexible hoses;

FIG. 12 is a bottom right-side perspective view of the cart illustratedin FIG. 1, illustrating cable-tensioning mechanisms;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a hose-fed lateral move irrigation systemillustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating the cart connected to the hydrantvia the rigid hoses and the flexible hoses;

FIG. 14 is a right side view of a hose-fed lateral move irrigationsystem illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating the cart; and

FIG. 15 is a rear right side perspective view of a hose-fed lateral moveirrigation system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating a cart connected to a hydrant via a rigid hoseand flexible hoses;

FIG. 16 is a rear view of a hose-fed lateral move irrigation systemillustrated in FIG. 15, illustrating the cart connected to a hydrant viathe rigid hose and the flexible hoses; and

FIG. 17 is a bottom right-side perspective view of the cart illustratedin FIG. 15, illustrating cable-tensioning mechanisms.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specificembodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the illustrated embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many forms. Whilethe drawings illustrate, and the specification describes, certainembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that suchdisclosure is by way of example only. The principles of the presentinvention are not limited to the particular disclosed embodiments.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1-5, a hose-fed lateral move irrigationapparatus 20 is illustrated and broadly includes a traveling cart 22that traverses up and down a cart path 24 that is located adjacent to afield 26 with crops 28 to be irrigated. It is foreseen that anotherpulling vehicle or structure could be utilized instead of the cart 22without deviating from the scope of the present invention (e.g., ahose-pull tower). The cart 22 generally includes a fluid-receivingsection 30 and a fluid-dispensing section 32.

The fluid-receiving section 30 is connected to a fluid source (notillustrated) via a hydrant 34 and an underground pipe 36. The fluidsource may be a well, pond, water tank, chemical tank, and/or other likesource of fluids and/or solids suspended in fluids including fertilizersand pesticides (hereinafter “fluids”) and are deliverable to the crops28 in the field 26 via the fluid-dispensing section 32 that receives thefluids from the fluid-receiving section 30

The cart 22 is formed by a rectangular steel or other suitable material(e.g., aluminum) frame assembly 38 that includes parallel front and rearrails 40, 42 connected by parallel left and right side rails 44, 46 thatare welded, bolted, or otherwise connected together. The left and rightside rails 44, 46 are respectively connected to a pair of left-sidewheels 48, 50 and a pair of right-side wheels 52, 54.

Running perpendicular to and secured to the side rails 44, 46 are aplurality of interior support rails 56, 58, 60, 62. Running parallel tothe side rails 44,46 and respectively secured to interior support rails60, 62, and interior support rail 62 and front rail 40 are a pluralityof interior support rails 64, 66, 68, 70 and 72, 74, 76, 78. Theinterior support rails 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78are connected via welding or other suitable means for attachment (e.g.,bolting) and advantageously increase the structural integrity of thecart 22 and provide support for a triangular tower assembly 80.

The tower assembly 80 supports an overhead fluid-distribution pipe 82 ofthe fluid-dispensing section 32, which includes a plurality of trusssections (not illustrated) that are supported by a plurality of mobiletowers (not illustrated). The distribution pipe 82 extends outwardlyfrom the cart 22 in a lateral direction thereto and includes a pluralityof sprinklers (not illustrated) located along each of the plurality ofsections of the distribution pipe 82 to communicate the fluid to thecrops 28 from an ideal height above the crops 28. Details of exemplarytruss sections, mobile towers, and sprinklers are shown in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,549,694 and 7,311,275, which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entireties.

The tower assembly 80 supports the distribution pipe 82 via a pair offront support members 84, 86 and a pair of rear support members 88, 90that connect to a substantially vertical riser conduit 92 thatcommunicates with and extends downward from the distribution pipe 82.The support members 84, 86, 88, 90 connect the riser conduit 92 to theframe assembly 38 of the cart 22 so that the distribution pipe 82 issecured overhead with respect to the cart 22. The front support members84, 86 and rear support members 88, 90 are connected to the distributionpipe 82 at upper ends thereof about a first common radius 94 of theriser conduit 92 and to the left and right rails 52, 54 at lower endsthereof that are spaced from each other to form a triangularconfiguration. In this manner, the support members 84, 86, 88, 90 extendupwardly from the frame assembly 38 of the cart 22 to converge at thefirst common radius 94 of the riser conduit 92 to secure thedistribution pipe 82 overhead with respect to the cart 22. The riserconduit 92 receives additional support from arms 96, 98, 100, 102 thatrespectively depend from the front and rear support members 84, 86, 88,90 to a second common radius 104 on the riser conduit 92.

Each of the support members 84, 86, 88, 90 have cross members 106, 108,110, 112 that extend between and connect adjacent support members 84,86, 88, 90 to increase the structural integrity of the tower assembly80. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10, cross members 106, 108, 110, 112extend generally horizontal between the support members support members84, 86, 88, 90. In the exemplary embodiment, the cross members 106, 108,110, 112 are connected to the support members 84, 86, 88, 90 via screwswith lock nuts (not illustrated). Any means for attachment includingwelding could be used to connect the cross members 106, 108, 110, 112 tothe support members 84, 86, 88, 90 without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

The frame assembly 38 of the cart 22 could also assume a number ofconfigurations without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, the wheels 48, 52 and wheels 50, 54 may berespectively connected to front and rear rails 40, 42 and/or theinterior support rails 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78may be connected perpendicular or parallel to the side rails 44, 46without departing from the scope of the present invention.

On an underside of the distribution pipe 82 and in communicationtherewith is a flexible-hose attachment assembly 114 that has is securedon a platform 116 between interior support rails 58, 60, as illustratedin FIGS. 9-12. The hose-attachment assembly 114 communicates fluid tothe distribution pipe 82 through the riser conduit 92 and includes aclamp 118 to maintain the hose-attachment assembly in a securedconfiguration.

Below the clamp 118 is a pivot point 120 that permit swiveling of anelbow coupler 122 located below the pivot point 120. The coupler 122 isangled downward with respect a horizontal plane defined by the frame 28at an angle of approximately fifteen to forty-five degrees to facilitateswiveling of the coupler 122 when it is subjected to a force.

The coupler 122 swivels 180 degrees in the exemplary embodiment with acenter point of swivel defined by the coupler 122 when swivelled to facethe left or right rails 44, 46 of the cart 22, and furthest-most pointsof swivel defined by the coupler 122 when swivelled to face the frontand rear rails 40, 42 of the cart 22. The coupler 122 may also belimited to swivel from only one degree or to any degree up to 360degrees, rotate in one or both directions perpetually, or be fixed in asingle direction, e.g., fixed at the center point, to fit anyapplication of the hose-fed lateral move irrigation apparatus 20 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. The coupler 122includes a nozzle tip 124 that receives a first relatively soft orflexible hose 126 that extends around a circumference of the nozzle tip124. It is foreseen that the coupler 122 may include a circumferentialridge (not illustrated) at or near an end of the nozzle tip 124 toprovide a water-tight seal between the hose-attachment assembly 114 andthe first flexible hose 126 when the end of the first flexible hose 126is fitted there around and extends past the circumferential ridge.

Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, the fluid receiving section 30 is illustratedin its entirety and illustrates the first flexible hose 126 connected toa first relatively hard or rigid hose 130, the first rigid hose 130connected to a second flexible hose 132, the second flexible hose 132connected to a second rigid hose 134, the second rigid hose 134connected to a third flexible hose 136, and the third flexible hose 136connected to the hydrant 34. The first and second rigid hoses 130, 134receive the first, second, and third flexible hoses 126, 132, 136 aroundcircumferential ends thereof. It is foreseen that the first and secondrigid hoses 130, 134 may include circumferential ridges (notillustrated), as previously discussed, at or near ends thereof toprovide water-tight seals therebetween.

The first, second, and third flexible hoses 126, 132, 136 are of thesame material; a material having a minimum-bend diameter that is lessthan a width of the cart 22. In the exemplary embodiment, the first,second, and third flexible hoses 126, 132, 136 are made of flexible,reinforced rubber having a two ft. minimum-bend diameter. However, thefirst, second, and third flexible hoses 126, 132, 136 may be of anymaterial of a minimum-bend diameter less than a width of the cart 22.Each of the first, second, and third flexible hoses 126, 132, 136includes a plurality of ribs 138 along an entire length thereof toprovide increased strength and durability for the first flexible hose126. Additionally, the material of the flexible hoses 126, 132, 136combined with the ribs 138 provide a degree of expansion and compressionof the flexible hoses 126, 132, 136. Thus, each of the flexible hoses126, 132, 136 have an expansion-compression zone. The size of theexpansion-compression zone is defined by hose length with longer hoseshaving a larger zone and shorter hoses having a smaller zone.

The first and second rigid hoses 130, 134 are made of a material withsufficient strength and durability to transport a large amount of fluidat a sufficient flow rate, withstand damage by rodents and the like, andbe drug behind the cart 22 and occasionally run over by the cart 22 andother heavy-duty equipment such as tractors and the like. In theexemplary embodiment, the first and second rigid hoses 130, 134 are madeof polyethylene tubing having a diameter of 6.625 inches, whichapproximately provides a flow rate of 450 g.p.m., a capacity of fiveft./sec., and a fourteen ft. minimum-bend diameter. However, the firstand second rigid hoses 130, 134 could be made of any like material ofsufficient strength and size, so long as the capacity of the first andsecond rigid hoses 130, 134 do not exceed a velocity of five ft./sec. assuch increases the likelihood of water hammer and excessive frictionlosses.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, extending down the entire length of thefirst flexible hose 126 is a first external cable 140, which isconnected at one end to a first wench 142 that is mounted on the cart 22and at the other end to an eyelet 144 that is welded to a collar 146that surrounds an end of the first rigid hose 130 and is rotatablethereabout. Extending down the entire length of the first flexible hose126 and the first rigid hose 130 is a second external cable 148. Similarto the first external cable 140, the second external cable 148 isconnected at one end to a second winch 150 that is mounted on the cart22 and at the other end to an eyelet 152 that is welded to the collar154 that surrounds an end of the second rigid hose 134. In this manner,the cart 22 is operable to displace or pull the first and second rigidhoses 130, 134 without any transfer of pull force from the first andsecond flexible hoses 128, 132 to the first and second flexible hoses126, 132, which is instead transferred directly to the cart 22 vie thefirst and second external cables 140, 148.

The first and second external cables 140, 148 are made of steel toprovide sufficient strength and durability to tolerate exposure to theelements. However, any like material of sufficient strength anddurability could be utilized.

The collars 146, 154 may be respectively rotatable about the first andsecond rigid hoses 130, 134 to expose eyelets 144, 152 that arerespectively fastened to the collars 146, 154. In this manner,connections between the first and second external cables 140, 148 andthe first and second rigid hoses 130, 134 are facilitated withoutrequiring substantial movement of the first and second rigid hoses 130,134. The eyelets 144, 152 may also be used to move the first and secondrigid hoses 130 via equipment capable of moving the first and secondrigid hoses 130, 134, for example, using a tractor (not illustrated) tostage the first and second rigid hoses 130, 134 in preparation for usewith the lateral-move apparatus 20.

The first and second winches 142, 150 are respectively mounted tointerior support rails 72, 74 and 76, 78, of the frame assembly 38 asillustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. In the exemplary embodiment, thefirst and second winches 142, 150 are simple, identical winches thateach include a center-drive motor 156 connected to a planetary gearbox(not illustrated) with a reel 158 to enable rotation of the reel 158when the motor 156 is idle yet provide some braking so that the firstand second external cables 140, 148 lie straight. Additionally, a brake(not illustrated) is provided between the gearbox and motor 156 tosecure the reel 158 in a fixed position when the motor 156 is stopped toprevent backlash from the first and/or and second external cables 140,148 due to tension in the first and/or second external cables 140, 148.It is foreseen that one or both of the first and second winches 142, 150may include a solenoid and/or clutch, and be sized differently dependingon the application of the present invention.

In the exemplary embodiment, each reel 158 of the first and secondwinches 142, 150 is equally sized and of a diameter that is capable ofuse, as discussed below, with only a single revolution in eitherdirection. It is foreseen, however, that each reel 158 may be of anysize and/or sized different with respect to the other depending on theapplication of the present invention.

The first and second winches 142, 150 may be independently controlled bya controller (not illustrated) mounted on the frame assembly 38 thatactivates and deactivates the first and second winches 142, 150alternatively and/or simultaneously and manually or automatically, e.g.,according to a program and/or using a run switch secured to the firstand second external cables 140, 148 and/or a trip target, depending onthe application of the present invention.

The first and second external cables 140, 148 are respectively connectedto and selectively wound around each reel 158 of the first and secondwinches 142, 150. The first and second external cables 140, 148 extendfrom each reel 158 of the first and second winches 142, 150 andrespectively pass through first and second pulley assemblies 160, 162,as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, 12, and 14. The first and second pulleyassemblies 160, 162 each include a first wheel 164 on a first axle 166that is aligned with a second wheel 168 on a second axle 170. The firstand second wheels 164, 168 are grooved to accommodate one of the firstand second cables 140, 148 therein, and are aligned in series so thateach of the first and second cables 140, 148 are trapped between thefirst and second wheels 164, 168. In this manner, the first and secondpulley assemblies 160, 162 respectively maintain a tension on a portionof the first and second external cables 140, 148 that is between thefirst and second pulley assemblies 160, 162 and the first and secondwinches 142, 150, which prevents inadvertent disengagement of theexternal cables 140, 148 from the first and second winches 142, 150.

The third flexible hose 136 extends to and is connected to the hydrant34, the underground pipe 36, and ultimately the fluid source (notillustrated). The hydrant 34 is selectively activated via a valve (notillustrated) and is centrally located in the cart path 24 in theexemplary embodiment so that the cart 22 may pass over via straddlingthe hydrant 34, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7, 11 and 13. It is foreseen,however, that the hydrant 34 may be located adjacent to the cart path24.

The location of the hydrant 34 defines a length of the combined flexibleand rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134, 136. For example, if the hydrant 34is placed in the middle of the field 26, the length of the combinedflexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134, 136 may be approximatelyequal to half of the field 26. As such, if the field 26 is 2000 ft., thecombined flexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134, 136 is 1000 ft. Inthis manner, the flexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134, 136 arefully extended and straight when the cart 22 reaches an end of the field26, which decreases the likelihood of kinking.

For purposes of describing the present invention 20 in use, the courseof the cart 22 will be limited to a simple forward and backward traversealong the cart path 24 without any pivoting of the fluid-dispensingsection 32. It is foreseen, however, that the cart 22 may accommodate anunlimited variety of courses depending on a field to be irrigated.

In use, the cart 22 is positioned in a starting position at an end ofthe cart path 24 with the hydrant 34 spaced therefrom, e.g., at a centerof the cart path 24. The flexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134,136 are aligned between the cart 22 and the hydrant 34. The first andsecond rigid hoses 130, 134 may be aligned using a tractor or othervehicle (not illustrated). To facilitate alignment of the first andsecond rigid hoses 130, 134, the collar 146 with eyelet 144 of each ofthe first and second rigid hoses 130, 134 may be utilized, which mayrequire rotation of the collar 146 to expose the eyelet 144. Once thefirst and second rigid hoses 130, 134 are staged, the first flexiblehose 126 is connected to the first rigid hose 130 and the coupler 122,the second rigid hose is connected to the first rigid hose 130 and thesecond rigid hose 134, and the third flexible hose 136 is connected tothe second rigid hose 134 and the hydrant 34, which closes a circuitbetween the fluid-receiving section 30 and the fluid-dispensing section32.

The hydrant 34, which has a shutoff valve (not illustrated) operable toactivate and deactivate a flow of fluid, is activated so that fluidtravels through the fluid-receiving section 30 and fluid-dispensingsection 32 to the crops 28 for irrigation thereof. The cart 22 thenbegins to travel forward in a direction of the hydrant 34 and over theflexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134, 136 from a starting pointat a predetermined rate with the distribution pipe 82 irrigating crops28 adjacent to the cart 22. The cart 22 travels forward for apredetermined distance while the first flexible hose 126 expands and theflexible and rigid hoses 130, 132, 134, 136 remain unaffected and atrest. In the exemplary embodiment, the predetermined distance is in therange of six inches to ten feet and is preferably one foot, which isprogrammed into a guidance system with G.P.S. (not illustrated). Theguidance system enables the cart 22 to follow the cart path 24 and stopat the predetermined distances using an antenna (not illustrated)mounted on the cart 22 that communicates with a wire (not illustrated)that extends along and is aligned with the cart path.

When the cart 22 has traveled the predetermined distance, the cart 22stops and the first winch 142 activates to drag the first rigid hose 130toward the cart 22 the same distance the cart 22 just traveled, i.e.,the predetermined distance, which causes the first flexible hose 126 tocompress. When the first rigid hose 130 has been dragged thepredetermined distance, the first winch 142 deactivates to end a travelcycle of the lateral-move apparatus. The cart 22 then travels forwardthe predetermined distance and the travel cycle is repeated until thecart 22 reaches a predetermined point along the path 24 where the secondflexible hose 132 begins to expand.

After the cart 22 passes the predetermined point and second flexiblehose 132 becomes expanded, the cart 22 stops after completing the travelcycle as discussed above. After the first winch 142 performs itsoperation as discussed above, the second winch 150 activates to drag thesecond rigid hose 134 toward the cart t 22 the same distance the cart 22just traveled, i.e., the predetermined distance, which causes the secondflexible hose 132 to compress. In this manner, the first and secondflexible hoses 126, 132 independently utilize theirexpansion-compression zone, as previously discussed, to enable movementof the cart 22 without movement of the first and second rigid hoses 130,134.

The first and second winches 142, 150 perform their operations while thecart 22 anchors the cart 22 in a fixed position on the cart path 24.Thus, the maximum size of the first and second rigid hoses 130, 134 isdetermined by the ability of the cart 22 to maintain its position as thefirst and second winches 142, 150 alternately operate. The first andsecond winches 142, 150 alternate to perform their operations so thatthe pull force of the first and second rigid hoses 130, 134 is exertedupon the cart 22 independent from each other, which enables the cart 22to pull larger first and second rigid hoses 130, 134. It is foreseenthat weights may be added to the cart 22 to increase the anchor abilityof the cart 22 by increasing the weight of the cart 22.

The cart 22 continues to perform the travel cycle until it reaches anend of the cart path 24, at which point the flexible and rigid hoses126, 130, 132, 134, 136 are fully extended and substantially straight,as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The cart 22 is then reversed along thecart path 24 causing the cart 22 to travel over and straddle theflexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134, 136 between the wheels 40,42, 44,46 with the distribution pipe 82 irrigating crops 28 adjacent tothe cart 22 a second time, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13. As thecart 22 departs the end of the cart path 24 and begins to drag the firstflexible hose 126 to an opposite end of the cart path 24 and back to thestarting point, a bend in the first flexible hose 126 is formed, whichresults in a 180 degree loop of the first flexible hose 126, and causesthe coupler 122 to be subjected a compression force. Due to the two ft.minimum-bend diameter of the first flexible hose 126, the bend andresultant loop in the first flexible hose 126 is maintained between thewheels 40, 42, 44, 46 of the cart 22.

As the cart 22 progresses back toward the starting point at the oppositeend of the cart path 24, the compression force causes the coupler 122 toswivel in a direction of the compression force while the bend in thefirst flexible hose 126 travels along the first flexible hose 126 at arate essentially equal to a rate the cart 22 is traveling. As such, thebend generally remains in a fixed position with respect to the cart path24 for a period of travel of the cart 22.

When the cart 22 is approximately six to eight ft. past the bend in thefirst flexible hose 126, the bend meets a point of engagement betweenthe first flexible hose 126 and the first rigid hose 130. When the bendbegins to travel along the first rigid hose 130, the first flexible hose126 becomes substantially straight and the first rigid hose 130 bends ina 180 degree loop. Due to the fourteen ft. minimum-bend diameter of thefirst rigid hose 130, the bend and resultant loop in the first rigidhose 130 increases in diameter and extends substantially beyond thewidth of the cart 22 and wheels 40, 42, 44, 46. Because the loop, atthis point, is well behind the cart 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and13, the loop is not problematic to the lateral move apparatus 20.

As the cart 22 nears the opposite end of the cart path 24, the flexibleand rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134, 136 become substantially straightand the coupler 122 has swivelled 180 degrees on a hydrant 34 side ofthe cart 22. When the cart 22 reaches the opposite end of the cart path24 and comes to a stop, the flexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134,136 have no slack and the likelihood of kinking is decreased.

The hydrant 34 has a stationary connector for connection to the thirdflexible hose 136. It is foreseen, however, the hydrant 34 may have aswiveling connector that swivels 180 degrees and the hydrant 34 may beconnected to a rigid hose so that as the cart 22 pulls the rigid hosefrom one side of the hydrant 34 to the other, the hydrant 34 swivels ina direction of the cart 22 to decrease the likelihood of kinking.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.15-17. In this embodiment, a cart, such as cart 22, is connected to afirst flexible hose, such as first flexible hose 126, the first flexiblehose 126 is connected to a rigid hose, such as rigid hose 130, the rigidhose 130 is connected to a second flexible hose, such as second flexiblehose 132, and the second flexible hose 132 is connected to a hydrant,such as hydrant 34.

The cart 22 is connected to the rigid hose 130 via cables, such as firstand second external cables 140, 148, at two locations along the rigidhose 130 that define two portions of the rigid hose 130. The firstexternal cable 140 is sized to extend along the entire length of thefirst flexible hose 126 and connects along the rigid hose 130 at alocation adjacent to the connection between the rigid hose 130 and thefirst flexible hose 126. The second external cable 148 is sized toextend along the entire length of the first flexible hose 126 andapproximately halfway along the length of the rigid hose 130 to connectat an approximate middle of the rigid hose 130.

The first and second external cables 140, 148 respectively connect tocollars on the rigid hose 130, such as collars 146, 154. As in theexemplary embodiment, the collars 146, 154 may be rotatable about therigid hoses 130 to expose eyelets, such as eyelets 144, 152, that arerespectively fastened to the collars 146, 154. In this manner,connections between the first and second external cables 140, 148 andthe rigid hose 130 are facilitated without requiring substantialmovement of the rigid hose 130.

The first external cable 140 directly connects to the cart 22 below apivot point such as pivot point 120 and at a coupler, such as elbowcoupler 122, so that the first external cable 140 is operable to pullthe elbow coupler 122 in a direction of the first external cable 140.The second external cable 148 indirectly connects to the cart 22 at awinch that is mounted on the cart 22, such as winch 150. In this manner,the cart 22 is operable to directly displace or pull a portion of therigid hose 130 when the cart 22 moves and indirectly displace or pullanother portion of the rigid hose 130 via the winch 150 when the cart 22is at rest without any or only minimal transfer of pull force betweenthe different portions of the rigid hose 130, which is instead entirelyor mostly transferred to the cart 22 via the first and second externalcables 140, 148.

The cart 22 in the another embodiment is used essentially the same as inthe exemplary embodiment with the exception of the movement of theflexible and rigid hoses 126, 130 and the winch 150. In the anotherembodiment, the cart 22 is positioned in the starting position at theend of the cart path 24, as detailed in the exemplary embodiment, withthe hydrant 34 spaced therefrom and the flexible and rigid hoses 126,130, 136 aligned between the cart 22 and the hydrant 34. The hydrant 34is activated so that fluid travels through the fluid-receiving section30 and fluid-dispensing section 32 to the crops 28 for irrigationthereof. The cart 22 then begins to travel forward from the startingpoint at a predetermined rate with the distribution pipe 82 irrigatingcrops 28 adjacent to the cart 22. The cart 22 travels forward for apredetermined distance while pulling the flexible hose 126 and theportion of the rigid hose 130 with the first external cable 140 whilethe portion of the rigid hose 130 connected to the second external cable148 and the flexible hose 136 remain entirely or at least substantiallyunaffected and at rest. In this embodiment, the predetermined distanceis six inches to ten feet and is preferably one foot.

When the cart 22 has traveled the predetermined distance with theflexible hose 126 and the portion of the rigid hose 130 at the firstexternal cable 140, the cart 22 stops moving and the winch 150 activatesto drag the portion of rigid hose 130 connected to the second externalcable 148 toward the cart 22 the same distance the cart 22 justtraveled, i.e., the predetermined distance, which causes the portion ofthe rigid hose 130 connected to the first external cable 140 to obtainslack. When the portion of the rigid hose 130 connected to the winch 150has been dragged the predetermined distance, the winch 150 deactivatesto end a travel cycle of the lateral-move apparatus. The cart 22 thentravels forward the predetermined distance and the travel cycle isrepeated until the cart 22 reaches a predetermined point along the path24 where the portion of the rigid hose 130 connected to the winch 150 isstraight or substantially straight.

After the cart 22 passes the predetermined point and the portion of therigid hose 130 connected to the winch 150 is straight or substantiallystraight, the cart 22 continues to travel forward while pulling theportion of the rigid hose 130 connected directly to the cart 22 via thefirst external cable 140 until it is straight or substantially straight.In this manner, portions of the rigid hose 130 are alternately movedindependent from each other until the rigid hose 130 is straight orsubstantially straight.

As in the exemplary embodiment, the winch 150 performs its operationwhile the cart 22 anchors the cart 22 in a fixed position on the cartpath 24. Thus, the maximum size of the rigid hose 130 is determined bythe ability of the cart 22 to pull the portion of the rigid hose 130 viathe first external cable 140, and pull the portion of the rigid hose 130via the second external cable 148 and the winch 150 while maintainingits position on the cart path 24. The cart 22 and the winch 150alternately pull portions of the rigid hose 130, respectively, so thatthe pull force of the portions of the rigid hose 130 is exerted upon thecart 22 and the winch 150 independent from each other, which enables thecart 22 to pull a larger rigid hose 130. It is foreseen that weights maybe added to the cart 22 to increase the anchor ability of the cart 22 byincreasing the weight of the cart 22.

The cart 22 continues to perform the travel cycle until it reaches anend of the cart path 24, at which point the flexible and rigid hoses126, 130, are fully extended and substantially straight. The cart 22 isthen reversed along the cart path 24 causing the cart 22 to travel overand straddle the flexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 136 between thewheels 40, 42, 44,46 with the distribution pipe 82 irrigating crops 28adjacent to the cart 22 a second time, as illustrated in FIG. 15. As thecart 22 departs the end of the cart path 24 and begins to drag the rigidhose 130 to an opposite end of the cart path 24 and back to the startingpoint, a bend in the rigid hose 130 is formed, which results in a 180degree loop of the rigid hose 130, and causes the coupler 122 to besubjected a compression force. Due to the two ft minimum-bend diameterof the first flexible hose 126, the bend and resultant loop in the firstflexible hose 126 is maintained between the wheels 40, 42, 44, 46 of thecart 22.

As the cart 22 progresses back toward the starting point at the oppositeend of the cart path 24, the compression force causes the coupler 122 toswivel in a direction of the compression force while the bend in thefirst flexible hose 126 travels along the first flexible hose 126 at arate essentially equal to a rate the cart 22 is traveling. As such, thebend generally remains in a fixed position with respect to the cart path24 for a period of travel of the cart 22.

When the cart 22 is approximately six to eight ft. past the bend in thefirst flexible hose 126, the bend meets a point of engagement betweenthe first flexible hose 126 and the first rigid hose 130. When the bendbegins to travel along the rigid hose 130, the first flexible hose 126becomes substantially straight and the rigid hose 130 bends in a 180degree loop. Due to the fourteen ft. minimum-bend diameter of the rigidhose 130, the bend and resultant loop in the rigid hose 130 increases indiameter and extends substantially beyond the width of the cart 22 andwheels 40, 42, 44, 46. Because the loop, at this point, is well behindthe cart 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13, the loop is notproblematic to the lateral move apparatus 20.

As the cart 22 nears the opposite end of the cart path 24, the flexibleand rigid hoses 126, 130, become substantially straight and the coupler122 has swivelled 180 degrees on a hydrant 34 side of the cart 22. Whenthe cart 22 reaches the opposite end of the cart path 24 and comes to astop, the flexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 136 have no slack and thelikelihood of kinking is decreased.

It is foreseen that the exemplary embodiment may be modified in view ofthe another embodiment without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For instance, the first rigid hose 130 of the exemplaryembodiment may be replaced with the rigid hose 130 of the anotherembodiment (i.e., a rigid hose of approximately twice the length), athird external cable (not illustrated) may be added and connected as inthe another embodiment (i.e., between a portion of the rigid hose 130and the coupler 122), and the first external cable 140 of the exemplaryembodiment may be connected to the rigid hose 130 in an approximatemiddle thereof. In this manner, the cart 22 would be operable toalternately and independently pull (I) a portion of the rigid hose 130directly via the third external cable (not illustrated) when the cart 22is moving along the cart path 24, (ii) another portion of the rigid hose130 with the first external cable 140 and first winch 142 when the cart22 is not moving along the cart path, and (iii) the second rigid hose154 with the second external cable 148 and second winch 150 when thecart 22 is not moving along the cart path. Thus, the pull force requiredto move the flexible and rigid hoses 126, 130, 132, 134 are evenlydistributed to the cart 22 and the winches 142, 150. It is also foreseenthat additional winches, each with an external cable connected to aflexible or rigid hose to displace another portion of the flexible orrigid hose, may be may be added to the cart 22 without deviating fromthe scope of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are to be usedas illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense ininterpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modificationsto the embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. For instance, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the principles of the present invention are not limitedto use with a lateral-move irrigation system, but may be employed withother types of irrigation systems.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine ofEquivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of thepresent invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departingfrom but outside the literal scope of the present invention as set forthin the following claims.

1. An irrigation system having a liquid conduit for the delivery ofliquid, the system comprising: a movable cart having a plurality ofwheels; a flexible-hose assembly connected to the movable cart andoperable to provide a portion of the liquid conduit; and ahose-displacement assembly mounted on the movable cart, secured to theflexible-hose assembly, and operable to displace the flexible-hoseassembly in an alternating fashion relative to movement of the cart ormovement of another onboard winch to displace the force required to pullthe hose assembly therebetween.
 2. The irrigation system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the hose-displacement assembly includes at least onewinch having a cable connected to the flexible-hose assembly at anattachment point along the flexible-hose assembly, the winch operable topull the flexible-hose assembly relative to the cart.
 3. The irrigationsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hose-displacement assemblyincludes a plurality of winches each having a cable connected to theflexible-hose assembly at an attachment point, the attachment pointsspaced from each other along the flexible-hose assembly, the pluralityof winches operable to pull the flexible-hose assembly in an alternatingmanner relative to each other.
 4. The irrigation system as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the flexible-hose assembly includes a first flexiblehose, a first rigid hose, a second flexible hose, and a second rigidhose connected to the movable cart in that order.
 5. The irrigationsystem as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible-hose assemblyincludes (I) a flexible hose and (ii) a rigid hose having a firstportion and a second portion connected to the movable cart in thatorder.
 6. The irrigation system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the firstflexible hose and the second flexible hose each define anexpansion-compression zones and are each operable to expand and compresswithin its expansion-compression zone to enable (I) movement of the cartwithout movement of the rigid hose, and (ii) independent alternatingmovement of the first rigid hose and the second rigid hose without anytransfer of force therebetween.
 7. The irrigation system as claimed inclaim 4, wherein the plurality of winches includes a first winch with afirst cable having a length equal to a length of the first flexible hoseand a second winch with a second cable having a length equal to a lengthof the first flexible hose and the first rigid hose.
 8. The irrigationsystem as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rigid hose is connected to thecart via first and second cables, the first cable connected to the firstportion of the rigid hose and having a length equal to a length of theflexible hose, and the second cable connected to the second portion ofthe rigid hose and having a length equal to the length of the firstflexible hose and a length of the first portion of the rigid hose. 9.The irrigation system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first cable isconnected directly to the cart and the second cable is connected to thewinch such that the first and second cables enable (I) independentalternating movement of the first portion of the rigid hose and thesecond portion of the rigid hose with no transfer or minimal transfer offorce therebetween, and (ii) movement of the cart without movement ofthe second portion of the rigid hose.
 10. The irrigation system asclaimed in claim 2, further comprising at least one cable-tensioningmechanism mounted on the movable cart to maintain a tension on the cableof the winch between the cable-tensioning mechanism and the winch.
 11. Amethod of traversing a field with an irrigation system having a liquidconduit, the method comprising the steps of: providing a movable carthaving a plurality of wheels; connecting a flexible-hose assembly to themovable cart that is operable to provide a portion of the liquidconduit; and mounting a hose-displacement assembly to the movable cartthat is secured to the flexible-hose assembly, and operable to displacethe flexible-hose assembly.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 11,further comprising the step of pulling the flexible-hose assemblyrelative to the cart using at least one winch having a cable connectedto the flexible-hose assembly at an attachment point along theflexible-hose assembly.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 11, furthercomprising the step of pulling the flexible hose assembly in analternating manner using a plurality of winches each having a cableconnected to the flexible-hose assembly at an attachment point, theattachment points spaced from each other along the flexible-hoseassembly.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein theflexible-hose assembly includes a first flexible hose, a first rigidhose, a second flexible hose, and a second rigid hose connected to themovable cart in that order.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 12,wherein the flexible-hose assembly includes (I) a flexible hose and (ii)a rigid hose having a first portion and a second portion connected tothe movable cart in that order.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 14,wherein the first flexible hose and the second flexible hose each definean expansion-compression zones and are each operable to expand andcompress within its expansion-compression zone to enable (I) movement ofthe cart without movement of the rigid hose, and (ii) independentalternating movement of the first rigid hose and the second rigid hosewithout any transfer of force therebetween.
 17. The method as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the plurality of winches includes a first winch with afirst cable having a length equal to a length of the first flexible hoseand a second winch with a second cable having a length equal to a lengthof the first flexible hose and the first rigid hose.
 18. The method asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the rigid hose is connected to the cart viafirst and second cables, the first cable connected to the first portionof the rigid hose and having a length equal to a length of the flexiblehose, and the second cable connected to the second portion of the rigidhose and having a length equal to the length of the first flexible hoseand a length of the first portion of the rigid hose.
 19. The method asclaimed in claim 18, wherein the first cable is connected directly tothe cart and the second cable is connected to the winch such that thefirst and second cables enable (I) independent alternating movement ofthe first portion of the rigid hose and the second portion of the rigidhose with no transfer or minimal transfer of force therebetween, and(ii) movement of the cart without movement of the second portion of therigid hose.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprisingthe step of maintaining a tension on the cable of the winch between acable-tensioning mechanism and the winch.